And the Winner Is...

Luvies, I have to thank you for all the inspiring comments about your resolutions/goals/mantras for the new year. They were just too much fun to read. Here were some of my absolute faves (that I'm jotting down for myself as well!) :

~ stop sweating the small stuff
~ live life freely...and to pet more dogs
~ be more present in my daily life
~ wear more dresses
~ take time outs
~ don't let fear keep me from pursuing my dreams
~ fill my space with positivity, peace and encouragement
~ complain less
~ instead of counting the days, make each day count
~ be nice!! Even when I don't feel like it
~ stop texting when a phone call works just as well!
~ make bread on Sundays
~ refuse to postpone my own happiness

I really do believe that 2011 is going to be an amazing year!


images via plush palate and {this is glamorous}

And so, without further ado, the winner (selected by random.org) of the Wendy Mink hammered earrings is....

Brittany! Congratulations!! Send an email to apt34blog {at} gmail {dot} com to claim your pretty prize.

Here's to many more pretty things coming to you in 2011 my dears!
Cheers,
*Mrs. E

Bring It, 2011!

click on image to enlarge

There are a lot of motivating new year's resolutions, goals and lists floating around out there. Personally, I'm going with the idea of new year mantras. Reminders to live by on a daily basis. Above is my first one for 2011. I plan to post it on my mirror as a morning smack to the brain to remember to think big.

May your 2010 go out on the highest of notes and your 2011 be filled with endless imagination, opportunity and success!

Till next year luvies,
*Mrs E


images via 1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10| quote

New Year's Eve Fashion Fix

Did you, like me, fail to find that perfect frock for a rockin' New Year's Eve? Take heart, all is not lost. You can ring in the new year with statement making style.

Simply pull out your best LBD ( or insert t-shirt + skinny jeans, tank + mini, cashmere sweater + wide leg trousers per your personal fashionista preference) and add an outrageous statement necklace. Any of these from Tom Binns will do quite nicely.




Consider your fashion emergency solved and your NYE look practically perfect. I hope you get your new year off to a fabulous start!

New York Weekend Recap {And A Jo Handbag Giveaway!}

Our jaunt to NYC flew by so quickly, I can hardly keep track of everything that went on. In a mere 48 hours I think I saw all of lower Manhattan while networking my little blogging butt off.

The festivities kicked off with an uber-glamorous dinner party thrown by the uber-glamorous lifestyle expert Kelley L. Moore. The lady outdid herself on the tabletop, I'm tellin' ya. Did you spot the personalized pop-art place cards?? Bah-nanas!



photos by me!

Not only was the whole Rue Crew and Cassandra there, but I also had the pleasure to meet Will of Bright Bazaar and Julie of Create Girl. Let me tell you, when bloggers get together, the good times flow ~ I've even got video to prove it!

On Monday, I had the privilege to go to HGTV headquarters for a hosted lunch with an even broader contingent of design bloggers. The best moment was listening to Melissa, the brilliantly hilarious mind behind the Lil Bee read her birth story to the whole room. It includes going into labor while in the midst of an HGTV interview!


design star emily henderson, rue mag founder crystal, melissa of lil bee

After lunch it was time to get gussied up and off to the Rue Magazine launch party! Another fabulous opportunity to put faces to blogger names. Here I am with Coco+Kelley and High Heeled Foot in the Door! I was also so thrilled to meet Mackenzie of Design Darling and Brook of Fabulous Doodle, among others.


 high heeled foot in the door, cocokelley and me, dress by Meme shoes from Aldo!


Caitlin and i, and the required shoe shot!

The husband and I did manage to squeeze in a romantic dinner at Mario Battali's Otto Pizzeria before we jetted back home.

Sadly, I didn't do any shopping in NYC for myself. However, I did pick up a giveaway for YOU, dear readers! New York based Jo Handbags have graciously provided my absolute favorite Niko bag to give away to a very very very lucky Apartment 34 reader.




So, run, don't walk to leave a comment on this post my dears. Be sure to include your contact info. Tweet about the contest and you'll get a second entry!

A winner will be chosen at random at 9:00 am on Monday, September 27!

Good-bye 2009!

No matter what kind of year you've had, there's something to be said for jazzin' it up for New Year's Eve.

Even if the old year isn't deserving of a fond farewell, the new one should be welcomed with a proper amount of glitz, glam and glitter, don't you think?

images via bela adler & salvador fresneda, dress, design, decor,  emmas design blogg, this is glamorous & olivet 

So here's to a bounty of friends and fortune, adventures and successes, good lessons and great learning and a whole lot of fun in 2010. Because, really, we all deserve it dammit.

Happy New Year to you luvies. See you in 2010. Hang on for it. I have this feeling it's going to be a great year!

Office Lust

I'd love to apply my light and airy aesthetic to my office space. I think it would give me clarity, space to brainstorm and really help me focus. 

via skona hem

However, if you prefer more colorful desk-scape options, Jen's office over at Made By Girl will rock your world. 

Let the Sun Shine In

My 2009 style resolution was to keep things light and airy.

via a cup of jo

Melanie at you are my fave found some great sunshiny examples - I want to mash them all into one perfect, well-lit house!

A Year of Style

There is style inspiration all over the place. My final goal for 2009 is simple. Take the time to see it, appreciate it, and employ it to the fullest to make yourself and your world, look, feel, and be a little better.

So there you have it my dears. I hope you can find time to play more footsie, be curious, relax and get inspired this year. I can't wait to see what it all brings.

card by campbell raw press

Cheers to 2009!

A Year of Relaxation

I've been accused, once or twice in my life, of not knowing how to slow down so I'm adding relaxation to my to-do list for 2009. Relaxation can take on many forms of course. For me, relaxation includes...

Serious quality time in the kitchen, ideally the perfect kitchen like this one, baking,

via it's mary ruffle

Serious enjoyment of those baked goods,

via it's mary ruffle

Long, leisurely road trips

photo by rodney smith

And more time outdoors.

photo by cig harvey

Really, more than anything, this year I want to avoid feeling like this

via {this is glamorous}

And instead spend more time like this!

photo by melanie acevedo

Here's to a snuggly, curious, relaxing 2009!

Forget Me Not

You'll never forget anything with a lovely notepad to track your new year's to-dos.

via simplesong

Perfect for all us list addicts. Remember to write down that you need to go to etsy and pick one up!

A Year of Being Curious

My second goal for 2009 is to remain perpetually curious. 

photo by little birds via one blue wren

Curiosity can lead to so many good things. 

It leads you to new places. 

Real or virtual. 

It temps you to try a new dish (and to share it!)

Photo by Marcus Nilsson

Maybe take the occasional fashion risk,

Burberry Prorsum Pre-Fall 2009

And make more and more and more new friends (hundreds even!). Curiosity is what empowers you to hold on and just go. 

photo by tom watson

So here's to a snuggly, curious new year!

A Year of Playing Footsie

I've never been a fan of the new year's resolution. They always feel like a rule or a broken promise. I much prefer the idea of a new goal or to-do list - something more manageable in the midst of a crazy day-to-day of life. 

There are plenty of brilliant ideas to chose from. Like Anne's new year's meditation, Stacy's to do's or Cassandra's Christmas wish. And in these times, I'm truly inspired by Jo's idea from last year. I've been narrowing down my new years to do's into a few key areas that I'm going to focus on in 2009 and my #1 is relationships.

Just a little time to cuddle up with the ones I love.

photos via: amelia lyon, the image is found, jonathan canlas

You'd think your most important relationships would never fall to the bottom of the list but it always seems like the first to go. So my first goal/to do/promise for 2009 is to snuggle up close and play footsie as often as I can! 

photo via le love

If you need more inspiration check out Joanna's engagement photos. They'll definitely inspire you double check your priorities!